LS1 vs LS6?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
LS1 vs LS6?
Ok, so I know the LS6 was the ZO-6 motor but what is the actual difference between it and a LS1? I am refering to the early motors for example a 1999. I am trying to Mod my 1999 LS1 it get the LS6 performance out of it. I want a streetable car after I get done and I don't want to invest a fortune.
Is the bottom end the same? Crank, block, pistons, oil pump
What heads were used on each? were the raw castings the same? different springs, valves, keepers ect
I know the cam, intake, air box, were different.
How about the throttle body, MAF
I know the exhaust and tune was different as well.
Have I missed anything?
Thanks for your answers.
Is the bottom end the same? Crank, block, pistons, oil pump
What heads were used on each? were the raw castings the same? different springs, valves, keepers ect
I know the cam, intake, air box, were different.
How about the throttle body, MAF
I know the exhaust and tune was different as well.
Have I missed anything?
Thanks for your answers.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Very little.
Heads, cam, intake if I remember correctly. Very small differences though. You're better off going with different components, esp the cam, if you're going to have the engine apart anyways.
Heads, cam, intake if I remember correctly. Very small differences though. You're better off going with different components, esp the cam, if you're going to have the engine apart anyways.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
I'm trying to do this without pulling the engine. I figure that since mine only has 44,000 on it the bottom end is still solid enough. With a better cam, heads, intake, air box, and long tube headers and a tune I should be where I want to be. I'm looking for about 400 RWHP.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I'm trying to do this without pulling the engine. I figure that since mine only has 44,000 on it the bottom end is still solid enough. With a better cam, heads, intake, air box, and long tube headers and a tune I should be where I want to be. I'm looking for about 400 RWHP.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
In addition to the above the LS6's oil pump is different. they definitely use different heads, exhaust manifolds are different as is the block itself. however depending on the year the difference between the LS1 and LS6 changes.
I'm no expert but IIRC 2001+ LS1's use the LS6 block and the LS6 Intake, they may have brought over other features as well.
but its very possible to get LS6+ performance out of an LS1 with a few simple upgrades.
I'm no expert but IIRC 2001+ LS1's use the LS6 block and the LS6 Intake, they may have brought over other features as well.
but its very possible to get LS6+ performance out of an LS1 with a few simple upgrades.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
In addition to the above the LS6's oil pump is different. they definitely use different heads, exhaust manifolds are different as is the block itself. however depending on the year the difference between the LS1 and LS6 changes.
I'm no expert but IIRC 2001+ LS1's use the LS6 block and the LS6 Intake, they may have brought over other features as well.
but its very possible to get LS6+ performance out of an LS1 with a few simple upgrades.
I'm no expert but IIRC 2001+ LS1's use the LS6 block and the LS6 Intake, they may have brought over other features as well.
but its very possible to get LS6+ performance out of an LS1 with a few simple upgrades.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I'm trying to do this without pulling the engine. I figure that since mine only has 44,000 on it the bottom end is still solid enough. With a better cam, heads, intake, air box, and long tube headers and a tune I should be where I want to be. I'm looking for about 400 RWHP.
it's the best place to start
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
you sure? maybe my tuner recommended the Ported LS6 just because its newer and with that stuff apart it makes sense to replace it, plus its ported on top of that...I don't know much about it, but I assumed there was a difference since he specified the LS6 version not the LS1.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
My 99 is an auto what kind of Cam would you suggest? I'm thinking of Edlebrock heads at some point and have sent an inquiry to Comp Cams about their Cams but have not heard back from them yet. I don't want anything to extreme. I don't want something that is going to sit and lop at an idle.
Last edited by 87bob; Aug 9, 2010 at 10:52 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
automatic? well maybe close.
No not Edlebrock heads. Trick Flow 215s, PRC 243s 2.5s AFRs 205s
Cam section, is wide
224/228 588/588 114+2
224/230
now we are back to budget again. What is your budget? and be realistic.
Add everything up as an LS6 crate motor is under $6,000 now
No not Edlebrock heads. Trick Flow 215s, PRC 243s 2.5s AFRs 205s
Cam section, is wide
224/228 588/588 114+2
224/230
now we are back to budget again. What is your budget? and be realistic.
Add everything up as an LS6 crate motor is under $6,000 now
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
automatic? well maybe close.
No not Edlebrock heads. Trick Flow 215s, PRC 243s 2.5s AFRs 205s
Cam section, is wide
224/228 588/588 114+2
224/230
now we are back to budget again. What is your budget? and be realistic.
Add everything up as an LS6 crate motor is under $6,000 now
No not Edlebrock heads. Trick Flow 215s, PRC 243s 2.5s AFRs 205s
Cam section, is wide
224/228 588/588 114+2
224/230
now we are back to budget again. What is your budget? and be realistic.
Add everything up as an LS6 crate motor is under $6,000 now
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Block casting is different from the and the LS1. Water jackets are different between cylinders for decreased cyl. temps. The LS1 Vettes never used the LS1 block. Oil pump is different. Exhaust is different. Intake manifold is diff. than the <2000 LS1. Cam shaft and heads are different.
So to get Z06 performance, sell your car and buy a Z06. Or swap out your heads and cam and be faster than a Z06.
So to get Z06 performance, sell your car and buy a Z06. Or swap out your heads and cam and be faster than a Z06.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Block casting is different from the and the LS1. Water jackets are different between cylinders for decreased cyl. temps. The LS1 Vettes never used the LS1 block. Oil pump is different. Exhaust is different. Intake manifold is diff. than the <2000 LS1. Cam shaft and heads are different.
So to get Z06 performance, sell your car and buy a Z06. Or swap out your heads and cam and be faster than a Z06.
So to get Z06 performance, sell your car and buy a Z06. Or swap out your heads and cam and be faster than a Z06.
1) Long tube headers. Brand undetermined as yet
2) A ZO-6 intake (because I have one)
3) A ZO-6 air box with K&N fiter
4) Heads AFR205CC Mongoose or Trick Flow 215s Brand undetermined as yet
5) Ported MAF & Throttle body & straight air bridge.
Anyone have any idea what I can expect at the rear wheels?
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Well since I'm not about to sell my car as I'm happy with the car I just want more performance from it. I know that the Ls engines series has great potential. I am not planning to go whole hog. I am looking to squeeze as much as I can get for as little as I can get away with. Yes I am planning a head and cam swap. So far this is what I'm planning to do:
1) Long tube headers. Brand undetermined as yet
2) A ZO-6 intake (because I have one)
3) A ZO-6 air box with K&N fiter
4) Heads AFR205CC Mongoose or Trick Flow 215s Brand undetermined as yet
5) Ported MAF & Throttle body & straight air bridge.
Anyone have any idea what I can expect at the rear wheels?
1) Long tube headers. Brand undetermined as yet
2) A ZO-6 intake (because I have one)
3) A ZO-6 air box with K&N fiter
4) Heads AFR205CC Mongoose or Trick Flow 215s Brand undetermined as yet
5) Ported MAF & Throttle body & straight air bridge.
Anyone have any idea what I can expect at the rear wheels?
I would forgo the Z06 intake (I don't remember it really being significantly different but it might be). Go with a real intake like a Vararam. Huge improvement.
Dope
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 18
From: Thompsons Station Tennessee
Well since I'm not about to sell my car as I'm happy with the car I just want more performance from it. I know that the Ls engines series has great potential. I am not planning to go whole hog. I am looking to squeeze as much as I can get for as little as I can get away with. Yes I am planning a head and cam swap. So far this is what I'm planning to do:
1) Long tube headers. Brand undetermined as yet
2) A ZO-6 intake (because I have one)
3) A ZO-6 air box with K&N fiter
4) Heads AFR205CC Mongoose or Trick Flow 215s Brand undetermined as yet
5) Ported MAF & Throttle body & straight air bridge.
Anyone have any idea what I can expect at the rear wheels?
1) Long tube headers. Brand undetermined as yet
2) A ZO-6 intake (because I have one)
3) A ZO-6 air box with K&N fiter
4) Heads AFR205CC Mongoose or Trick Flow 215s Brand undetermined as yet
5) Ported MAF & Throttle body & straight air bridge.
Anyone have any idea what I can expect at the rear wheels?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Impossible to make a power guesstimate especially since you didn't even mention which cam you're going to get. With aftermarket heads and all the bolt-ons, even the wimpier "stealth" cams will still break 400rwhp easily. With a nasty cam you could see closer to mid 400s. Probably shoot for a decent, mild cam (224ish duration on a 114 LSA) and you'll probably come close to 425rwhp with all bolt-ons. Auto might lose a little more power though, not entirely sure. Make sure you are going with a higher stall as well. If you don't already have a torque converter that should be your first mod. A 3.23/3.42/3.73 rear if you don't already have one is a great one too.
I would forgo the Z06 intake (I don't remember it really being significantly different but it might be). Go with a real intake like a Vararam. Huge improvement.
Dope
I would forgo the Z06 intake (I don't remember it really being significantly different but it might be). Go with a real intake like a Vararam. Huge improvement.
Dope
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Just to clarify my post, when I was talking about passing on the Z06 intake, I meant the intake tract/air filter. The Z06/LS6 intake MANIFOLD is a good cheap upgrade.
Also, I would pass on screwing with your MAF. Leave it alone. It's fine for the power level you're looking for (and beyond). Waste of $$ and potential tuning nightmare. I ported my MAF on my old automatic Camaro and it caused the shifts to get all screwed up (not sure how, but it did). It didn't gain 1hp either. Waste of time and money. I have the stock MAF in my C5 as well, 410rwhp with no issues. Put that money into something else.
Dope
Also, I would pass on screwing with your MAF. Leave it alone. It's fine for the power level you're looking for (and beyond). Waste of $$ and potential tuning nightmare. I ported my MAF on my old automatic Camaro and it caused the shifts to get all screwed up (not sure how, but it did). It didn't gain 1hp either. Waste of time and money. I have the stock MAF in my C5 as well, 410rwhp with no issues. Put that money into something else.
Dope
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Just to clarify my post, when I was talking about passing on the Z06 intake, I meant the intake tract/air filter. The Z06/LS6 intake MANIFOLD is a good cheap upgrade.
Also, I would pass on screwing with your MAF. Leave it alone. It's fine for the power level you're looking for (and beyond). Waste of $$ and potential tuning nightmare. I ported my MAF on my old automatic Camaro and it caused the shifts to get all screwed up (not sure how, but it did). It didn't gain 1hp either. Waste of time and money. I have the stock MAF in my C5 as well, 410rwhp with no issues. Put that money into something else.
Dope
Also, I would pass on screwing with your MAF. Leave it alone. It's fine for the power level you're looking for (and beyond). Waste of $$ and potential tuning nightmare. I ported my MAF on my old automatic Camaro and it caused the shifts to get all screwed up (not sure how, but it did). It didn't gain 1hp either. Waste of time and money. I have the stock MAF in my C5 as well, 410rwhp with no issues. Put that money into something else.
Dope
Thanks for the good advice! It is always great to hear from someone who has done it before and learn from their experience.